I'm going into pre-AP English and need help!?

Question

Ok, I am really good at writing and everyone was like "YOU NEED TO GET INTO AP ENGLISH!" so I signed up for Pre-AP for 9th grade but I'm scared out of my mind at what they're going to throw at me. I want to know if anyone knows a way to practice for it? I really want to be prepared, they give us our lists and everything but I still think I need some practice. I have bead school anxiety and I cried last year cause I was so freaked. High School is scaring me! My older brothers don't help either they say it sucks. I just think I can put myself at ease if I know what I'm looking at before hand.

Answer 1

don't be scared. i have have been in ap since 5th grade. the teachers might expect more from you. pretty much ap english is just a bunch of reading and analyzing what you read. as for hs, i really don't think you can be ready.

Answer 2

I would say keep reading over the summer.  Even if it is just books you like to read to keep up your reading skills.  

Also, you might want to think about keeping a journal if you don't already.  If you write everyday you will be able to just breeze through the essays or other writting projects.

Best of luck :)

Answer 3

My suggestion would be to find out what some of the reading is for the course and read some of it this summer. You would then feel better prepared when the class starts. If you can't find out what's for the course, just start reading some classics. Always helps.

If you generally get good grades and are told you have good writing skills, relax! You will be fine. High school is harder than grade or middle school--that's the idea, to keep teaching you things--but it's not a whole different planet. It's probably harder socially than it is academically, to be honest.

Answer 4

First of all--breathe.  High school is tough, it's a time of change and it is somewhat difficult to find your place...be friendly, look for people you know, be true to yourself, chat with the teachers (and find one with whom you feel comfortable), and most importantly, try to have fun.

Secondly, if your middle school teachers have recommended AP, then you should believe in yourself.  I would be prepared for a challenge.  Think of it this way--you're obviously intelligent, so you most likely want to go to college, and AP is a fantastic way to familiarize yourself with the stresses and academic challenges of upper-level education.

As for the class itself, there will be plenty of reading, analyzing, writing, and discussing.  9th grade AP English is mostly a multi-genre, multi-ethnic study of literature.  As teachers, we understand that you are new to high school so the pressure doesn't start until you become acclimated.  We do have higher expectations of our AP students but a freshman Pre-AP class is a great way to know if you want to continue with advanced classes in the future.

Good Luck and have a great year!

(Embrace Change =])